Rifles / Muskets feedback for 3d artists

andreretogasser

We have seen some very interesting new products in the past few months. I cannot thank the 3d artists in question enough for the great work.

Some comments/reflections from a good client for ongoing or planned projects and expansion kits concerning rifles and muskets:

1) If you create army weapons, please don't forget the bayonet! Especially with older, slow loading weapons (muskets etc.) be aware that the bayonet (not the projectile) was considered the main weapon! So, 3D artist, if you put a musket without a bayonet in the shop, it is like trying to sell a sword without a blade .... no halfway reasonable pirate, soldier, sailor, settler would have armed himself with a musket without carrying the bayonet going with it - no matter whether Hollywood shows it otherwise, it's simply not happening. For a while, attempts were made to make bayonets for pistols to show you the importance of the matter in the historical context!

2) Loading poses would largely increase the value of the product, especially in the case of muzzle loaders and the first breach loaders (that have appeared relatively recently in the wild west weapons department) which often have very specific loading movements. These poses are often a pain to create for the customer ... while poses for shooting are as common as sand on a beach and easy to adapt! But even poses for magazine changes for common modern weapons are certainly welcome.

3) Before you create weapons, please take 10 minutes, go to Youtube and see how the weapon is actually handled! It will inspire you very much concerning moving parts and poses and what your customer will try to do with the prop! This would, for example, prevent unnerving kitbashing for your customer on muskets and flintlock pistols without removable ramrods and without the option of making the unmovable ramrod invisible ... which in turn increases the 3d artist's chances of selling other products to happy, relaxed customers; a win - win!

4) Least important of all my comments but still a "nice to have" and a positive sign for the customer that the 3D artist is actually caring about customer needs: Carrying straps and/or at least the option to carry the rifle on the back of the actors. Ideally, muzzle up and muzzle down because there are national / climate / cultural differences in how a weapon is worn on the back. This initially goes back to times when the powder could get wet when rain or condensation accumulated in the barrel .... which again confirms the importance of having a bayonet when the thing refuses to go boom.

Finally, a remark: I find it interesting that we have a paradox in the current Daz3D shop selection. The most common form of rifle for a very long time is completely missing! There is no bolt-action rifle with bolt handle that could be credibly integrated into a scene for a period from 1870 to 1950 without having to resort to exotics like Winchester / Henry lever action. I am tempted to call this a galactic-sized market niche :-)

 

FSMCDesigns

Honestly it is less about customers needs and more about what they can included and still ofset their return on time invested. DAZ prices are pretty cheap, especially with all the sales when compared to the larger 3D market. This is why we see less niche, specialized items in the store and more of the same old same that they know will sell.

Places like turbosquid and CGTrader have a ton of different weapons that can be imported into DS.